In what had to be eight of the most impressive innings ever pitched, Heath Fillmyer made an impression.

As a freshman shortstop for Mercer County Community College last spring, the Florence High graduate threw just eight innings of relief, and was drafted in the 28th round by the Rockies as a pitcher.

Granted, some of that had to do with how he threw for the Flashes, but that’s still pretty impressive.

After talking it over with his dad, Fillmyer decided to return to Mercer for his sophomore year.

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“We figured if I got drafted after just eight innings, let’s see what I could if I pitch a whole year,” Fillmyer said. “I wouldn’t say I was surprised (at being picked). I worked hard and the chances I got I kind of did well in them.

“Don Kohler, the head Major League scout for New Jersey was the first professional guy who saw me at a showcase when I was a junior in high school. He took an interest in me, and since then he got guys to come out and see me pitch. It was a big help in my career.”

The scouts have not gone away this year. Mercer coach Kevin Kerins, whose team moved up to No. 2 nationally in the NJCAA Division II poll this week, said that between 15 to 25 pro scouts arrive each time Fillmyer pitches, and that’s not including the Division I colleges.

The attention has certainly helped raise Mercer’s profile, as other players are getting to be seen as well.

“With our number two ranking and Heath and (pitcher) Ben Stine getting interest from teams on a national and professional level it has increased our national footprint,” said Kerins, whose team is 33-3. “Our players are getting opportunities and interest from schools across the country, especially down south, which is very exciting.”

Fillmyer admitted it was a tough decision to turn down a pro contract but said his dad gave him the confidence that he would be OK coming back this year.

Good call, dad.

In seven starts, Fillmyer is 7-0 with five complete games. Throwing in the 90s, he has 66 strikeouts in 43 innings, which his sixth in the nation. He has an average of 13.8 strikeouts per game, which is second nationally, and his ERA of 0.42 is third in the nation. The 6-foot-1 right-hander has allowed just two earned runs — both in the same game — and three overall.

“Heath’s presence on the mound is a big key to our team success,” Kerins said. “As all teams do, this team has taken on its own personality and a lot of that comes from our captains, of which Heath is one of four.

“Heath demonstrates confidence and is an extreme competitor. Our players have taken on the mindset of competing in all they do, on game days and beyond.”

Kerins was obviously thrilled when Fillmyer decided he would return, and the coach gave him the option of whether he wanted to stay at short or be a starting pitcher. Despite the fact that fielding is one of Fillmyer’s favorite things to do in baseball, he opted to take the mound.

“I was glad my staff and I would get another year to work with him,” Kerins said. “I knew we had a few challenges ahead since he would be transitioning from shortstop to starting pitcher. The transition has gone well and whichever team drafts him is getting a mature and competitive pitcher who’s just starting to come into his own.”

The key word there, is maturity.

“Obviously, Heath’s elite velocity has been a big part of his success but he has matured and become polished on the mound, he’s been very coachable,” Kerins said. “He has transitioned to a pitcher and not just a player with plus velocity. He controls the running game well, challenges hitters, fields his position well and competes every pitch.”

Evidently, it was a good move to stay. Fillmyer has not only raised his stock, but he has a chance to get to the NJCAA World Series with a team he loves.

“I wouldn’t trade any of my teammates for anybody,” he said. “Everybody has a spot in the program, everybody contributes, and that makes it easier on me. We all love each other, hang out off the field all the time. That’s why we succeed as much as we do, we all gelled very well.”

Fillmyer had special praise for his catcher, former Hamilton star Dave Osnato.

“I really want to send a thank you out to Dave,” he said. “I enjoy pitching to him. He’s definitely the best catcher who ever caught me. I gotta give him a lot of credit for my success.

“For a freshman he’s very mature, he handles himself great. He works hard on and off the field. He’s just a great teammate to have.”

Fillmyer will have a new catcher next year, and whether it’s in the pros or college remains to be seen. He lets his father handle all the interest from scouts and recruiters, preferring to focus on the task at hand.

“My dream is to play professional baseball, but if I worry about that now it’s just a distraction,” Fillmyer said. “That’s something have to take day by day. I have to figure it out.

“Right now I am looking for a four year school. If things don’t work out with the draft, I have no problem doing that. But I don’t talk about it. I go out and try to play baseball. If I play all right, everything will fall into place.”

He has been helped in that area by former Vikings pitcher James Pugliese, who is currently on the disabled list in the Cubs organization. The two shared a criminal justice class at MCCC when Pugliese returned home last fall, and struck up a friendship.

“He was actually a really big help,” Fillmyer said. “I guess it was the call of nature that we had class together.”

Fillmyer is hoping the next call of nature is for the Vikings to reach the World Series, as the Region XIX playoffs begin on May 9.

“I have 100 percent faith we’ll make it all the way and I have faith in these teammates and this coaching staff,” Fillmyer said. “We’ll be really disappointed if we don’t make to the World Series. It’s something I’ve been aiming for and striving for.”

He’s actually striving for a lot more after that.

AROUND THE HORN: The College of New Jersey has struggled since its 10-game winning streak ended, as the Lions have lost seven of nine since then. TCNJ (17-14) is 6-8 and tied for sixth in the New Jersey Athletic Conference

• Rider (12-23) has sunk to seventh place in the MAAC standings at 4-6 after losing two of three to Niagra last weekend. The Broncs went 1-1 in Central Jersey play this week, losing to Rutgers 6-4 Tuesday and beating Princeton 5-3 Wednesday.

• A four-game split with Penn last weekend effectively ended Princeton’s hopes of winning the Ivy League’s Lou Gehrig Division. Penn and Columbia are both 13-3 while the Tigers (12-23) are third at 7-9. Princeton concludes Ivy play with a four-game series at Cornell this weekend.

• Rutgers (19-19, 6-5) earned its first American Athletic Conference sweep last weekend, taking three straight off Cincinnati as the pitching staff allowed just five earned runs and six overall. “The sweep is huge for us; it’s great for our confidence,” said pitcher Kyle Driscoll, who fanned 11 in the series finale.